This list would be a lot different if I had not been introduced to Gram Parsons via this album. The moment my ears were introduced to this musical masterpiece, I promptly gave away the majority of my music collection.

I share a deep affinity with many of the workers, women, poets and civil rights activists whom I have painted; their determination and courage in the face of adversity moves me to continue and persist in my own art-making endeavors.

We men have to deal with the “Y” or “Yes” chromosome. That’s the one that’s always telling us “Yes, that TV would look great in the hot tub” or “Yes, you can dry pants in the microwave” or “Oh YES dude, you can totally jump though a Cremora fireball!